SHELBOURNE POISED FOR ANOTHER MEMORABLE NIGHT

Ian Fortune

Shelbourne Park and its patrons can expect another night of memorable action this evening as the second round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby comes to a conclusion.

This year’s classic has already delivered in spades and it’s safe to assume there will be some sensational displays in the coming hours.

WHAT A START

The action commences at 7.15pm and its straight into the Derby.

Heat 9 also happens to be the hottest contest of the entire second round with each of the six competitors capable of producing a special run at any time.

To highlight the quality of the contest, one time Derby favourite Twoinarow, English Derby runner-up Kildare and the hugely talented Born Warrior are in the top ten of the sponsors outright betting yet one suspects at least one of the trio will fail to progress.

With English Derby finalist Hello Hammond and the hugely fast Barefoot Supremo certain to finish at speed, the battle for the qualifying spots could go right to the wire. Maries Wedding is no back-number either. She needs to come through the bars but has a sub 28 second run for the 525yd trip.

It really is a very special contest and would be fitting of a Derby semi-final. So much will depend on which of the ‘big three’ get loose in the early yards. Kildare is a token selection in a race that is worth savouring.

CAN TED REPEAT?

2021 finalist All About Ted was one of the three opening round winners for Peter Cronin and he has obvious claims in a weak Heat 10.

So much will depend on whether All About Ted can get loose in the early yards.

If he does, he could take some catching but whether he is the same greyhound he was last year is open for debate. Ballymac Bronze and Storys Cashout are very obvious dangers. Ballymac Bronze is very young but seems to be getting the grips with the racing game.

His handler Liam Dowling also has his team in fine form. If he can come away racing from trap two, he could have a big say in the outcome. Storys Cashout obviously has the pace to go close but a trap four draw is less than ideal. He needs to hit the lids.

Own Spice ran a big race in the opening round, finishing fast to grab second behind Mustang Jet. From a favourable draw on the fence, he is one that could represent value. Beepers Chris also displayed plenty in defeat last week and, at a huge price, won’t be friendless. Patient Crusader can’t be dismissed either in what is a wide-open affair, although he does need to repeat his best form.

VINCENZO CAN FLY

Pat Guilfoyle’s string is clearly in tremendous shape.

After sending out four opening round winners, he can expect Vincenzo to add to his superb record. The Shelbourne Champion 550 winner ran a huge race in defeat last weekend and looks set to dominate in Heat 11.

If trapping on terms from trap five, he should have too much dash for his rivals and can lead the field into the back straight. Droopys Nextone is perfectly housed in the red of one. She caught the eye last week, flying home to finish just ow lengths behind Vincenzo. Much will depend on how well she can start but she is clearly a threat.

Da Bold Freddie stands out as the best of the remainder. Although not showing the same early speed he did in his youth, he is running very strongly and can make the frame. All About Annie also has claims of making the frame. She ran on well to win in the opening round and worth considering.

Millridge Bryce and Ringabella Boy complete the line-up. Both will be available at big prices and need a little luck to threaten. In short, it’s hard to see beyond Vincenzo. One can see a scenario where he takes off from trap five and his price folds in the ante-post market.

CAN MOFO REPEAT BEST FORM?

The layers may look to take on Oaks champion Raha Mofo in Heat 12 but it could be a foolhardy exercise as she is brilliant when producing her best.

She has incredible talent, she her tendency to take an extra stride into the turn is a worry.

In a race that seems to lack early speed, there is every chance the Murt Leahy trained star will make the bend. In that circumstance, there is scarcely a greyhound in training that would pick her up.

That said, it would be no surprise if there was cash for a number of her rivals. Cryptopunk is well house don the fence and should race prominently, Storys Peewee will finish like a train, while Ross Dame was one of the big eye-catchers of the opening round. If the last named were to start on terms, he would make a bold bid.

Carrauntoohil races from trap two and is another that can’t be dismissed. He moved of the fence last week which is a worry for those on his outer. Kilgraney Clang completes the line-up and he too has claims. You can ignore his latest run when taking a couple of bumps in the early yards. He is progressive and could very easily make the frame.     

ED TO GO INTO ORBIT

Ballinabola Ed is the one to beat in Heat 13.

Certainly, as the hare approaches the boxes, all eyes will be on the sensationally fast son of Confident Rankin. He may have been quite a bit behind the fastest heat winners on the clock last weekend, but his display was the most talked about in the subsequent days.

A sensationally fast tracker with more ability than the vast majority of the Derby field, he is certain to start a very hot favourite. If trapping on terms, expect the race to be over as a contest in the opening strides.

The withdrawal of Kilcolgan Zeus will certainly suit and the extra room afforded to Ballinabola Ed in the opening strides is a concern for his rivals. Tullig Raven, a kennel companion to the favourite, is the obvious threat.   

The youngster took off last week and is clearly very talented but it would be folly to oppose Ballinabola Ed. If Ed makes a fast start, don’t be surprised is he takes off. Disco Pants stands out as the best of the rest but only a career best effort will suffice. Kingdom Bound and Gortkelly Nestor need plenty of luck to threaten. 

CAN BOBSLEIGH REPEAT?

Pat Buckley will hope that Bobsleigh Dream can match her kennel mate Ballinabola Ed in Heat 14 by repeating her opening round success.

Only Good Cody went faster in victory last weekend and she is expected to start a warm favourite.

Well Met is a notable rival, however. He displayed plenty in his opening round success and his early speed should allow him contest the early pace. If he were to turn in front, the son of Ballymac Best could have a big say at a decent price.

Annagh Bailey came in for sustained support in the opening round only to run into Wi Can Dream. He’s clearly showing plenty and can’t be dismissed from trap five. The same can be said for the evergreen Athlacca Zette. Noel Neenan’s talented tracker is perfectly drawn in six and, if he were to hit the ground running, he could have a big say.

Oakfront Cadet and Irelands Own complete the field. Both have plenty of talent but need to repeat their very best form to oblige. Bobsleigh Dream is a worthy favourite and the most likely winner but Well Met is nominated as a real danger.  

FABULOUS FINN CAN OBLIGE

Ballymac Finn was the second fastest of the opening round qualifiers when chasing home Good Cody eight days ago.

A real eye-catcher for Liam Dowling on that occasion, he can get off the mark in this year’s Derby in Heat 15.

From a favourable draw on the rail, with his slow starting kennel mate Hoodoo Brown drawn on his shoulder, Ballymac Finn should have room to reach to speed into the turn. That can prove decisive with the November ’20 son of Droopy Sydney chosen to lead into the back straight.

Hoodoo Brown will finish with a wet sail and could easily make the frame, especially if avoiding traffic, while the hugely fast Fernandes is also a big player. He can be a bit inconsistent at the boxes but has a massive engine.

Skywalker Cilla can never be dismissed, although she needs to step up on her opening round effort to get back to winning ways. Dec Guinness is likely to go up fast but will need a clear advantage to halfway to get home.

MASTERS AND HERO TO DO BATTLE

Callaway Masters and Savana Hero will head the betting in the final heat of the round and it’s difficult to see beyond the pair.

The penny seems to be dropping with Savana Hero, who is jointly owned by Brendan Matthews and Towcester supremo Kevin Boothby.

He has some brilliant form and would be hard to stop if coming away on terms from the outside box.  Callaway Masters comes into the race in a tremendous run of form. He may have suffered his first defeat in some time last weekend but ran a big race in defeat.

Clona Blu has the pace to have a say but needs to be at his sharpest in the opening yards. Cu Mochua is a strong runner and is another that needs a fast start to race prominently. Both Clampett Danny and Conamara will be big prices to come home in front.